FREQUENCY
BATS Theatre (Out-Of-Site) Understudy Bar and various outdoor locations, Wellington
11/02/2014 - 27/02/2014
Production Details
An Interactive Adventure
Things have been a little strange lately.
TV’s on the fritz.
Emails arriving scrambled.
Weird lights in the sky.
Something’s just not right.
And Sylvia Blake has disappeared.
It doesn’t add up… Does it?
Can you find Sylvia Blake?
Are you bold enough?
Frequency is an interactive street game/theatre experience where the audience are plunged into a science fiction adventure. You will roam through the city, discovering clues, finding secret locations, and solving puzzles – and may even be selected as a potential candidate to join a secret organisation.
If you have ever dreamed of being one of a small band of adventurers who solve mysteries and uncover evil plots… this is the show for you!
Only ten participants per night.
Bring walking shoes and your charged-up phone
No door sales.
BATS (Out of Site) and various outdoor locations
Mon-Wed-Thurs
Feb 11, 12, 13 | 18,19,20 | 25,26,27
7pm
Book at BATS Theatre
CAST:
Thomas Durkheim: Anthony Doornebosch
Owen/Agent 5: Fraser Peat
Sylvia Blake/Agent 12: Hannah McKie
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Story consultant: Russ Kale
Game design: Leonie Reynolds
Technical consultant: Matthew Gatland
Graphic design: Amanda Alderson
Tracker construction: Wellington Makerspace
Puzzles: Puck
Audience notes: RESISTER Command
Stage manager & Props master/painter: Tanya Nendick
Front of house: Scott Kelly
Silent witness: Courtney Parnell
Assistant stage managers: Jess Casbolt, Sarah Burton, Alison McKay, Hannah Kerr
Sound technician: Sarah Burton
Sound FX: Phil Burton
Poster and flyer design: Graeme Offord
Publicity photographs: Stephen A’Court
Publicity: Rebecca Sim
Theatre , Outdoor ,
1hr 20mins - Tues, Wed, Thurs only
A very different theatrical experience
Review by John Smythe 12th Feb 2014
Being sworn to secrecy at the end of this enjoyably adventurous exercise creates something of a quandary for a critic. What can I say?
Well the first thing is that our group – amiable, intelligent, happy to work together and reasonably efficient except, perhaps, with one communication exercise involving a very old system – takes two hours to complete the tasks set in the interactive scenario; significantly more than the 80 minute approximation in the fringe brochure. And we end up a five-minute walk away from Bats Theatre (Out Of Site). So plan accordingly.
You have to book ahead because on the day of your booking text messages arrive on your cellphone. Nothing too onerous but they prepare you – and prepare ‘them’ for you. More will become clear when you meet at Bats Theatre’s Understudy Bar …
I’m not a Gamer and that doesn’t matter although it may be an advantage if some of the group are, assuming the ‘vocabulary’ of the sci-fi scenario and our participation is consistent with Gaming culture. Quite a lot of progress occurs through group dynamics while there are specific things required of you individually, within a private partnership.
We need our cellphones (a full range from simple to sophisticated is present within our group), the ability to read, appropriate outdoor clothing including good walking shoes and I would recommend decent pockets or a bag as our hands get quite full at times.
Powers of deduction help a lot too – e.g. why have we been given this piece of equipment and what should we therefore be on the alert for?
I should mention, too, there are actors involved, including Anthony Doornebosch, Fraser Peat and Hannah McKie, and all acquit themselves very well. It has taken a large team to develop the intriguing story, design the intricate game, create the not-too-taxing puzzles … And hidden from view are the watchers and indefatigable texters.
Frequency is the sort of event that goes to the heart of what Fringe is about. If you like problem-solving and group participation, book in for a very different theatrical experience.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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